9 Hotspots in L.A. Using Japanese Ingredients

From tantalizing tempura, sushi and yakiniku to fantastic French cuisine, we're bringing you nine Los Angeles restaurants that use ingredients from Japan to offer a rich variety of flavors. *In this article, we'll introduce shops covered by the Taste of Japan Management Office.

Yamaya Japanese Wagyu & Grill in Torrance — Home to A5-Grade Miyazaki-Gyu

Yamaya Japanese Wagyu & Grill in Torrance, home to many Japanese people, was opened after renovations in July 2017. The concept of the restaurant is sophistication, luxury, fine quality and coziness. Each and every item is carefully prepared so that you can experience delicious Japanese beef and genuine Japanese hospitality without leaving the United States.

Q — Try Traditional Edomae-Style Sushi

Q is a sushi restaurant that was opened by its Japan-loving owner in 2013 in what is now considered the liveliest area in Los Angeles: Downtown. The cuisine served up in this delightfully artistic space is traditional Edomae-style sushi. Chef Hiro’s work is very thorough and artistic.

Shunji - Japanese Cuisine — Experience Seasonal Japan Year-Round

Chef Shunji has long been a leader in Japanese cuisine in the Los Angeles area, honing his skills over many years as a founding member of Matsuhisa, the restaurant of America’s most famous Japanese chef, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. He quickly developed a reputation for his cooking and his own restaurant became one of the most famous Japanese establishments in Los Angeles as soon as he opened it.

Izakaya HACHI — Beloved by Japanese Officeworkers

Izakaya HACHI is sure to make anyone familiar with izakaya, the Japanese salaryman-favorite dining establishment, feel right at home even in far-away Los Angeles. The restaurant’s handmade food gained a favorable reputation among the local Japanese population and quickly became a popular establishment. Now, that reputation has spread to the American population as well and seats fill up daily almost as soon as the restaurant opens.

Maison Akira — Run by a Top French Chef

Maison Akira is a long-established French restaurant that opened in 1998. Veteran Chef Akira studied under world-renowned French Chef Joel Robuchon before coming to Los Angeles, where he honed his skills at the Ritz Carlton and as an executive chef at The Peninsula. He was selected as one of the top 10 French chefs in Los Angeles in 2015.

Endo — Offering Delectable Kyoto-Style Tempura

Tempura Endo is a restaurant providing Kyoto-style tempura located close to Rodeo Drive, the high-class shopping street of Beverly Hills. This is the first overseas location of the long-established tempura restaurant by the same name with nine locations around Kyoto, opening its doors in 2015.

Yakiniku Yazawa — Featuring High-End Japanese Barbecue

Yakiniku Yazawa is a high-end yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant that has been open in Beverly Hills since 2015. This is the brand’s first location in the US, with others in places around the world, including Singapore and Milan. Opening its stately black doors reveals a restaurant with a playful sensibility, where endearing cattle-themed art will catch your eye.

Oumi Sasaya — Authentic Japanese Udon Noodles & Excellent Dishes

Oumi Sasaya is an udon noodle restaurant located in Lomita, home to a large Japanese population. One of the shop’s main points of emphasis is its use of Japanese-produced and homemade ingredients. Most of the ingredients used, from the bonito, dried sardines and kombu seaweed used for the broth to the flour, vegetables and natto (fermented soybean paste), are all imported from Japan.

Kanpai — Showcasing True Japanese Cuisine

Kanpai is located close to Los Angeles International Airport, serving a wide variety of Japanese cuisine. Customers here can enjoy tempura, grilled dishes, sushi and other items representative of Japanese cuisine, as well as the restaurant’s original menu items with an addition of ingredients popular in California.